Spring brings with it lots of vibrant new growth, both in the veg patch and in the wild. It`s too good an opportunity to miss!
Read moreSimple Ways to Improve your Dogs Diet
Adding fresh food to your dog’s meals can give huge health benefits and help in the prevention of many serious diseases .
Not everyone wants to feed raw or home cooked food, and the majority of dogs still eat tinned food or kibble. When manufacturing kibble or muesli-type food, it requires a very high temperature, and many of the nutrients are lost in the cooking process, which are then replaced with synthetic vitamins and mineral supplements.
Adding a few of the following fresh foods at least 3 times a week will supply the dog with vitamins, minerals, omega 3 fatty acids, anti-oxidants, amino acids, glucosamine, and micro nutrients that they can easily absorb and utilise within their body.
Here are a few simple ways to increase the nutritional value of any meals and add variation:
Bone Broth: Packed full of glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, amino acids & minerals. Great for joint and gut health.
Tinned Pilchards or Sardines: Omega 3 fatty acids & DHA for coat and skin health and anti-inflammatory effects. Choose the ones in tomato juice or spring water
Eggs: Either raw or very lightly cooked, provide high-quality protein and fat, and are a good source of biotin.
Medicinal Mushrooms: Such as Reishi, Chaga, Turkey tail, Shiitake etc, have an abundance of health-giving qualities and are believed to help in cancer prevention and to boost the immunity.
Dandelion leaves: Contain vitamin C, B6, thiamine, calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, and a flavonoid called zeaxanthin, which is crucial for protecting the retina and is an effective antioxidant. Pick from areas free from chemical sprays & pollution.
Berries: Blackberries, when in season, blueberries, and raspberries are packed full of vitamin C and rich in antioxidants.
Fresh leafy greens: Either lightly steam or, as I prefer, make vegetable smoothies for the dogs is a great way to add an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to their meals. It has also been proven to reduce the risk of some cancers just by adding a small amount of vegetables to processed food. Avoid the starchy veg and go for kale, broccoli, spinach, beet tops, dandelion leaves, Parsley, courgette, etc, plus a few berries.
Herbal Blends: Hedgerow Hounds offer a range of herbal blends to add valuable nutrition to your dog’s meal times.